Unlike other Broadway shows, the Broadway play Memphis is not based on a cartoon, television series, play, or a movie. It is an original musical loosely based on the story of the first few white DJs who played black music during the period of 1950s. David Bryan of Bon Jovi fame and Joe DiPietro have written this musical. The show premiered in 2003 at the North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly (Massachusetts) and at TheatreWorks, Mountain View (California) in 2004. It has now recently opened on Broadway.

The Story

The themes of the musical are very familiar and there are several clichéd aspects, but despite all this, the show has been quite a surprise hit. Memphis is an original musical devoid of big stars, but still if we talk about it in musical and theatrical terms, it is joyfully entertaining. The story is about a white DJ in the 1950s and how he helps a black singer rise to stardom. The character of Huey Calhoun (played by the charismatic Chad Kimball) is supposed to be based on the real character of Dewey Phillips – a white DJ in the 1950s.

The Original Score

The terrific original score by Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan has actually prevented the show from becoming just another jukebox musical. David Bryan has provided an expert pastiche of R&B, rock and gospel of the '50s-era. The credit of the show however also goes to the exuberant choreography by Sergio Trujillo and the superbly brisk staging by Christopher Ashley. Besides that, Paul Tazewell's costumes and David Gallo's sets are also perfectly redolent of the era.

The Creative Team

The previews of the Broadway play Memphis started on September 23, 2009, but it officially opened on October 19, 2009. The show is running at the Shubert Theatre. The creative team includes Howell Binkley (lighting design), David Gallo (scenic design), Paul Tazewell (costume design), Sergio Trujillo (choreography), and Christopher Ashley (director).

The Cast

The original Broadway cast of Memphis includes Cass Morgan as Gladys Calhoun, Michael McGrath as Mr. Simmons, James Monroe Iglehart as Bobby, J. Bernard Calloway as Delray Jones, Derrick Baskin as Gator, Montego Glover as Felicia Farrell, and Chad Kimball as Huey Calhoun. Many of these cast members, such as Montego Glover and Chad Kimball, also worked in the pre-Broadway productions.

"Memphis Lives in Me" is the only song in this musical that has been featured on “100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong” - the Bon Jovi box set. Another thing that makes the show special is that there are just enough dancers on the stage. So, anyone can easily focus and enjoy the colorful event regardless of whether they are sitting in the front mezzanine or in the last row.

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